[eleanorigby]

I recently went to see a uroligist who told me that I needed to get a suprapubic cath. Now, for various reasons, I question his recommendation and suffice it to say I am not going back to him. But I do want to look into the subject further. Most of the research or comments from users I've found seem to be strictly from a male point of view. So are there any ladies out there with SPCs? The doc suggested (or in this doc's case more like demanded without any tests or examinations) that I get an SPC because my indwelling cath would erode my urethra or something like that. However, I know that women's urethra's are much shorter than men's. I've used an indwelling for 5+ years, change it every week, and keep it out on the weekends and straight cath. I'm not shrinking my bladder because I use a plug rather than a bag because I have sensation and I also had an ultrasound recently that said my kidneys and bladder are perfect. I do struggle with UTIs, but I think there are other routes I could pursue to help with this (which is why I went to him in the first place). So, after that long history, does anyone have any comments?

This post has been edited by eleanorigby: 19 May 2008 - 06:56 AM

[dolly]

eleanorigby, on May 19 2008, 07:19 AM, said:

I recently went to see a uroligist who told me that I needed to get a suprapubic cath. Now, for various reasons, I question his recommendation and suffice it to say I am not going back to him. But I do want to look into the subject further. Most of the research or comments from users I've found seem to be strictly from a male point of view. So are there any ladies out there with SPCs? The doc suggested (or in this doc's case more like demanded without any tests or examinations) that I get an SPC because my indwelling cath would erode my urethra or something like that. However, I know that women's urethra's are much shorter than men's. I've used an indwelling for 5+ years, change it every week, and keep it out on the weekends and straight cath. I'm not shrinking my bladder because I use a plug rather than a bag because I have sensation and I also had an ultrasound recently that said my kidneys and bladder are perfect. I do struggle with UTIs, but I think there are other routes I could pursue to help with this (which is why I went to him in the first place). So, after that long history, does anyone have any comments?

Hey
im a C6 tetra and have had a SPC for 15 months now, I find it really easy, clean and have had only 2 uti's in tht time! im also only 18months post injury. I wash the site everyday in the shower but thts it dont put anything on it. i also get it changed by a nurse every 28 days and have an antibiotic injection wen its changed. i also dont want to shrink my bladder so i have a valve on the end and empty it every 5hrs or so, it works really well for me i never get any leakage or problems and it can be just tucked in ur trousers and not seen

[eleanorigby]

dolly, on May 22 2008, 12:14 PM, said:

eleanorigby, on May 19 2008, 07:19 AM, said:

I recently went to see a uroligist who told me that I needed to get a suprapubic cath. Now, for various reasons, I question his recommendation and suffice it to say I am not going back to him. But I do want to look into the subject further. Most of the research or comments from users I've found seem to be strictly from a male point of view. So are there any ladies out there with SPCs? The doc suggested (or in this doc's case more like demanded without any tests or examinations) that I get an SPC because my indwelling cath would erode my urethra or something like that. However, I know that women's urethra's are much shorter than men's. I've used an indwelling for 5+ years, change it every week, and keep it out on the weekends and straight cath. I'm not shrinking my bladder because I use a plug rather than a bag because I have sensation and I also had an ultrasound recently that said my kidneys and bladder are perfect. I do struggle with UTIs, but I think there are other routes I could pursue to help with this (which is why I went to him in the first place). So, after that long history, does anyone have any comments?

Hey
im a C6 tetra and have had a SPC for 15 months now, I find it really easy, clean and have had only 2 uti's in tht time! im also only 18months post injury. I wash the site everyday in the shower but thts it dont put anything on it. i also get it changed by a nurse every 28 days and have an antibiotic injection wen its changed. i also dont want to shrink my bladder so i have a valve on the end and empty it every 5hrs or so, it works really well for me i never get any leakage or problems and it can be just tucked in ur trousers and not seen

Thanks for the reply! I think it's harder for me to think about getting one because I've been post injury for 11 yrs w/o any type of surgical care and have become very clingy with my independence from healthcare. Are they going to teach you how to change the SPC yourself one day and is it painful at all? Hope I'm not being nosy! I'm just a very curious and stubborn person.

[doublelibra]

Hi, Eleanor-

I had an indwelling for about a year, and got a SP after having numerous UTI's. It's definitely the lesser of the two evils! I only have one UTI per year or less. I keep it very clean, drink lots of water. and take 1500 mg. of vitamin C daily, which helps, too. My home health nurse changes the catheter and I feel a few spasms that are just a tightening sensation, but painless. I don't use an all-silicone catheter because it is rigid and seems to cause spasms and leakage. I use a silicone-coated latex catheter with a small (5cc) balloon, and I don't have leakage around the site like I did at first with a 30 cc balloon. Hope this helps!

doublelibra

[Para Jane]

eleanorigby, on May 19 2008, 07:19 AM, said:

I recently went to see a uroligist who told me that I needed to get a suprapubic cath. Now, for various reasons, I question his recommendation and suffice it to say I am not going back to him. But I do want to look into the subject further. Most of the research or comments from users I've found seem to be strictly from a male point of view. So are there any ladies out there with SPCs? The doc suggested (or in this doc's case more like demanded without any tests or examinations) that I get an SPC because my indwelling cath would erode my urethra or something like that. However, I know that women's urethra's are much shorter than men's. I've used an indwelling for 5+ years, change it every week, and keep it out on the weekends and straight cath. I'm not shrinking my bladder because I use a plug rather than a bag because I have sensation and I also had an ultrasound recently that said my kidneys and bladder are perfect. I do struggle with UTIs, but I think there are other routes I could pursue to help with this (which is why I went to him in the first place). So, after that long history, does anyone have any comments?

Hello Eleanor, Since 1991 I have had an indwelling SPC and after 18yrs of relatively free problems am now having to face the strong possibility that I have developed bladder cancer; I had a CT scan only this Friday and will know the outcome next Friday 30th May. My own body knowledge tells me something is seriously wrong and sadly I have all other symptoms which back this fear up. My advice is if you can have a measured quality of life without a SPC then perhaps it may be worth you having a rethink. No Dr can tell you what you MUST have, he should only advise. There are alternative methods of bladder control, some not so invasive. I do not have an answer for you, this is from my own experience, I am 53yrs of age and had my accident in 1973, became a T10, so I do have a little experience. I opted for the SPC on the reccommendation of a urologist at Spinal Injury Centre as I was having to wear incontinace aids 24hrs, and the uretha cathetear was not a success for me. If you do have the SPC, think further before you say yes to having your uretha closed, this procceedure can not be reversed, so if things go wrong......your stuck. If you would like further info to read try the http://www.craighosp...adderCancer.asp This site is very good and may help
Whatever you decide I wish you Good Luck
Para Jane

[eleanorigby]

Para Jane, on May 26 2008, 01:53 AM, said:

eleanorigby, on May 19 2008, 07:19 AM, said:

I recently went to see a uroligist who told me that I needed to get a suprapubic cath. Now, for various reasons, I question his recommendation and suffice it to say I am not going back to him. But I do want to look into the subject further. Most of the research or comments from users I've found seem to be strictly from a male point of view. So are there any ladies out there with SPCs? The doc suggested (or in this doc's case more like demanded without any tests or examinations) that I get an SPC because my indwelling cath would erode my urethra or something like that. However, I know that women's urethra's are much shorter than men's. I've used an indwelling for 5+ years, change it every week, and keep it out on the weekends and straight cath. I'm not shrinking my bladder because I use a plug rather than a bag because I have sensation and I also had an ultrasound recently that said my kidneys and bladder are perfect. I do struggle with UTIs, but I think there are other routes I could pursue to help with this (which is why I went to him in the first place). So, after that long history, does anyone have any comments?

Hello Eleanor, Since 1991 I have had an indwelling SPC and after 18yrs of relatively free problems am now having to face the strong possibility that I have developed bladder cancer; I had a CT scan only this Friday and will know the outcome next Friday 30th May. My own body knowledge tells me something is seriously wrong and sadly I have all other symptoms which back this fear up. My advice is if you can have a measured quality of life without a SPC then perhaps it may be worth you having a rethink. No Dr can tell you what you MUST have, he should only advise. There are alternative methods of bladder control, some not so invasive. I do not have an answer for you, this is from my own experience, I am 53yrs of age and had my accident in 1973, became a T10, so I do have a little experience. I opted for the SPC on the reccommendation of a urologist at Spinal Injury Centre as I was having to wear incontinace aids 24hrs, and the uretha cathetear was not a success for me. If you do have the SPC, think further before you say yes to having your uretha closed, this procceedure can not be reversed, so if things go wrong......your stuck. If you would like further info to read try the http://www.craighosp...adderCancer.asp This site is very good and may help
Whatever you decide I wish you Good Luck
Para Jane

I'm really sorry to hear about the possibility of cancer. I hope your CT turns out okay. Thanks for sharing your experience. I think for now I've decided to stick with my indwelling although I know that it's probably not a permanant solution. I take it out every weekend to give my bladder a break and I know with an SPC I would not be able to have that choice. Again, I hope everything turns out okay.

[kiwiquad]

eleanorigby, on May 19 2008, 06:19 PM, said:

I recently went to see a uroligist who told me that I needed to get a suprapubic cath. Now, for various reasons, I question his recommendation and suffice it to say I am not going back to him. But I do want to look into the subject further. Most of the research or comments from users I've found seem to be strictly from a male point of view. So are there any ladies out there with SPCs? The doc suggested (or in this doc's case more like demanded without any tests or examinations) that I get an SPC because my indwelling cath would erode my urethra or something like that. However, I know that women's urethra's are much shorter than men's. I've used an indwelling for 5+ years, change it every week, and keep it out on the weekends and straight cath. I'm not shrinking my bladder because I use a plug rather than a bag because I have sensation and I also had an ultrasound recently that said my kidneys and bladder are perfect. I do struggle with UTIs, but I think there are other routes I could pursue to help with this (which is why I went to him in the first place). So, after that long history, does anyone have any comments?

Hi 'eleanorigby'..I'm 24yrs SCI, & have had a SPC for 23yrs, with no probs.
You sound like you know your body well, & just wanted to add "why fix what's not broken"??

[Vicki]

I have had an indwelling catheter for 27 years. I used to get it changed every week but now I only get it changed once a month. I am a analy retentive about keeping the area round where the catheter goes in clean and getting it cleaned gently once a day. A super pubic catheter was also proposed to me and I was stupid enough to try (my opinion) it. I only had it in six weeks and when a nurse was doing the first change of the catheter she did not insert it correctly. By the time I got home, I was dysreflexic and bypassing. I had a support worker insert a in dwelling catheter -- absolute gallons rushed out and I have not been back since.

I have a bladder wash out every week and very rarely get bladder infections.

I agree with kiwiquad - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Happy to talk more but just in a mad rush at the moment.

Cheers Vicki

This post has been edited by Vicki: 02 June 2008 - 04:59 AM

[eleanorigby]

Vicki, on Jun 1 2008, 09:54 PM, said:

I have had an indwelling catheter for 27 years. I used to get it changed every week but now I only get it changed once a month. I am a analy retentive about keeping the area round where the catheter goes in clean and getting it cleaned gently once a day. A super pubic catheter was also proposed to me and I was stupid enough to try (my opinion) it. I only had it in six weeks and when a nurse was doing the first change of the catheter she did not insert it correctly. By the time I got home, I was dysreflexic and bypassing. I had a support worker insert a in dwelling catheter -- absolute gallons rushed out and I have not been back since.

I have a bladder wash out every week and very rarely get bladder infections.

I agree with kiwiquad - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Happy to talk more but just in a mad rush at the moment.

Cheers Vicki

Hi Vicki,

Thanks for the response. I was wondering what a bladder washout is, I've never heard of that. I was also wondering if the balloon or cath size has changed over the years since you've worn an indwelling so long. Thanks for your help, I hope I'm not being to nosy!